In-Vehicle Handsfree Apparatus And Data Transfer Method

ABSTRACT

An in-vehicle navigation apparatus with a handsfree function establishes a Bluetooth communication link with a cellular phone. When receiving from the cellular phone outgoing call history data and incoming call history data, which were stored in the cellular phone before establishing the Bluetooth communication link, the in-vehicle navigation apparatus stores, in a work memory, the received outgoing call history data and the received incoming call history data, equally to, of the navigation apparatus itself, outgoing call history data and incoming call history data. An outgoing call operation then becomes possible using outgoing call history data and incoming call history data, which are stored in the work memory.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/517,304 filed on Jun. 2, 2009 which is a 371 U.S. National Stage ofInternational Application No. PCT/2007/073652, filed on Dec. 7, 2007.These applications claim the benefit and priority of JP 2006-331875filed on Dec. 8, 2006; JP 2007-118937 filed on Apr. 27, 2007; JP2007-229467 filed on Sep. 4, 2007; and, JP 2007-312290 filed on Dec. 3,2007. The entire disclosures of each of the above applications areincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present invention relates to an in-vehicle handsfree apparatus and adata transfer method, which are for establishing a communication linkwith a cellular phone, which is in a short range communication area.

BACKGROUND

There is a configuration in which a cellular phone automaticallytransfers phone book data indicating correspondence between phonenumbers and registration names to an in-vehicle handsfree apparatus. Insuch a configuration, for example, a user gets in the vehicle whilecarrying the cellular phone. When the cellular phone enters the shortrange communication area of the in-vehicle handsfree apparatus, acommunication link is established between the cellular phone and thein-vehicle handsfree apparatus. The cellular phone thereby transfers thephone book data automatically to the in-vehicle handsfree apparatus.Under such a configuration, by operating the in-vehicle handsfreeapparatus, the user is enabled to select a desired telephone number fromthe phone book data of the cellular phone and transmit the selected one(for example, refer to Patent document 1).

-   [Patent document 1] JP 2002-193046 A

In contrast, there is studied a cellular phone to specify an automatictransfer of outgoing call history data or incoming call history data aswell as an automatic transfer of the phone book data. For example, withrespect to Bluetooth (registered trademark), a new profile (PBAP) isstudied for responding to transmission of the phone book data, outgoingcall history data, and incoming call history data to the in-vehiclehandsfree apparatus in addition to a handsfree profile (HFP) forperforming an incoming call or outgoing call in the in-vehicle handsfreeapparatus.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present invention to simplify a process in anin-vehicle handsfree apparatus and improve connectivity between anin-vehicle handsfree apparatus and any type of cellular phone in casewhere at least one of outgoing call history data, incoming call historydata, and phone book data is transmitted to the in-vehicle handsfreeapparatus from the cellular phone.

In order to achieve the above object, a first example of the presentinvention is characterized by comprising a control means and an outgoingcall history storage means. The control means communicates with acellular phone with a transfer protocol for realizing transfer of theoutgoing call history data stored in the cellular phone before beingconnected using a handsfree protocol with the cellular phone, receivesthe outgoing call history data from the cellular phone, disconnects thecommunication using the transfer protocol after the receiving, andconnects communication with a handsfree protocol for realizing ahandsfree phone call by the cellular phone after the disconnecting. Theoutgoing call history data storage means stores the received outgoingcall history data.

A second example of the present invention is characterized by comprisingthe following means. A transfer protocol control means executescommunication using a transfer protocol for realizing transfer of theoutgoing call history data stored in the cellular phone before theconnection of the handsfree protocol when the cellular phone exists in awireless connection area. An outgoing call history data reception meansreceives outgoing call history data from the cellular phone via thecommunication using the transfer protocol. A transfer protocoldisconnection means disconnects the connected communication using thetransfer protocol after the receiving. A handsfree protocol controlmeans connects automatically communication using a handsfree protocolfor realizing a handsfree phone call by the cellular phone after thedisconnecting. An outgoing call history data storage means stores theoutgoing call history data which is received.

A third example of the present invention is characterized by comprisinga control means and an incoming call history data storage means. Thecontrol means communicates with a cellular phone with a transferprotocol for realizing transfer of the incoming call history data storedin the cellular phone before being connected using a handsfree protocolwith the cellular phone, receives the incoming call history data fromthe cellular phone, disconnects, after receiving, the communicationusing the transfer protocol, and connects a communication using ahandsfree protocol for realizing a handsfree phone call by the cellularphone after disconnecting. The incoming call history data storage meansstores the incoming call history data which is received.

A fourth example of the present invention is characterized by thefollowing means. A transfer protocol control means executescommunication using a transfer protocol for realizing transfer of theincoming call history data stored in the cellular phone before theconnection of the handsfree protocol when the cellular phone exists in awireless connection area. An incoming call history data reception meansreceives incoming call history data from the cellular phone via thecommunication using the transfer protocol. A transfer protocoldisconnection means disconnects the connected communication using thetransfer protocol after the receiving. A handsfree protocol controlmeans connects automatically communication using a handsfree protocolfor realizing a handsfree phone call by the cellular phone after thedisconnecting. An incoming call history data storage means stores thereceived incoming call history data.

A fifth example of the present invention is characterized by comprisingby the following means. A transfer protocol control means performs acommunication using the transfer protocol for realizing transfer of theincoming call history data, the outgoing call history data, and thephone book data stored in the cellular phone prior to the connection forthe handsfree phone call when the cellular phone exists in a wirelessconnection area. A data reception means receives incoming call historydata, outgoing call history data, and phone book data from the cellularphone via the communication using the transfer protocol. A transferprotocol disconnection means disconnects the connected communicationusing the transfer protocol after the receiving. A handsfree protocolcontrol means connects automatically communication using a handsfreeprotocol for realizing a handsfree phone call by the cellular phoneafter the disconnecting. A data storage means stores the outgoing callhistory data, the incoming call history data, and the phone book data,which are received.

A sixth example of the present invention is characterized by comprisingthe following. A transfer protocol connecting step connects a transferprotocol between the cellular phone and the in-vehicle handsfreeapparatus for realizing a transfer of the outgoing call history data,which was stored in the cellular phone before the connection for thehandsfree phone call. An outgoing call history data receiving stepreceives the outgoing call history data via a communication connected atthe transfer protocol connecting step. A disconnecting stepautomatically disconnects the communication using the transfer protocolafter receiving the outgoing call history data. A handsfree connectingstep automatically connects communication using the handsfree protocolfor realizing the handsfree phone call by the cellular phone after thedisconnecting at the disconnecting step.

A seventh example of the present invention is characterized by thefollowing. A transfer protocol connecting step connects a transferprotocol between the cellular phone and the in-vehicle handsfreeapparatus for realizing a transfer of the incoming call history data,which was stored in the cellular phone before the connection for thehandsfree phone call. An incoming call history data receiving stepreceives the incoming call history data via a communication connected atthe transfer protocol connecting step. A disconnecting stepautomatically disconnects the communication using the transfer protocolafter receiving the incoming call history data. A handsfree connectingstep automatically connects communication using the handsfree protocolfor realizing the handsfree phone call by the cellular phone after thedisconnecting at the disconnecting step.

Thus, after the data is transferred via the communication using thetransfer protocol, the communication using the transfer protocol isdisconnected and the communication using the handsfree protocol is thenexecuted. As a result, it is unnecessary to connect the transferprotocol and the handsfree protocol at the same time. While theprocessing can be reduced in the in-vehicle handsfree apparatus,connectivity with the various types of cellular phones can be improved.

DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription made with reference to the accompanying drawings. In thedrawings:

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart (part 1);

FIGS. 3A-3C are diagrams illustrating outgoing call history data andphone book data;

FIGS. 4A-4C are diagrams illustrating incoming call history data andphone book data;

FIGS. 5A-5C are diagrams illustrating missed incoming call history dataand phone book data;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating outgoing call history data, incomingcall history data, missed incoming call history data, and whole historydata;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart (part 2);

FIG. 8 is a flowchart (part 3);

FIGS. 9A-9B are diagrams comparable with FIGS. 3A-3C;

FIGS. 10A-10B are diagrams comparable with FIGS. 4A-4C;

FIGS. 11A-11C are diagrams illustrating changes of a display window whenexecuting an outgoing call operation using outgoing call history;

FIGS. 12A-12C are diagrams illustrating changes of a display window whenexecuting an outgoing call operation using incoming call history;

FIGS. 13A-13B are diagrams illustrating changes of a display window whenexecuting an outgoing call operation using phone book;

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating phone book data;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart (part 4); and

FIGS. 16A-16C are diagrams comparable with FIGS. 12A-12C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is explained with reference to drawings about anembodiment applied to an in-vehicle navigation apparatus with ahandsfree function and a Bluetooth communication function. FIG. 1indicates a functional block diagram of a main part of an in-vehiclenavigation apparatus. The in-vehicle navigation apparatus 1 includes acontrol section 2, a Bluetooth communication section 3 (a short rangecommunication means or unit), an operation section 4, a display section5, a work memory 6, a storage memory 7, a microphone 8, and a speaker 9.

The control section 2 can function as a control means or unit, adetermination means or unit, a display control means or unit, a transferprotocol control means or unit, a transfer protocol disconnection meansor unit, a handsfree protocol control means or unit, an initialhandsfree protocol communication means or unit, a communicationmaintenance means or unit, a phone book transfer setting means or unit,a data transfer designation means or unit, and a manual transferprotocol instruction means or unit. The control section 2 controls anoverall operation such as communication operation and data controloperation of the in-vehicle navigation apparatus 1. The Bluetoothcommunication section 3 can function as an outgoing call history datareception means or unit, an incoming call history data reception meansor unit, and a data reception means or unit. If a cellular phone 10 witha Bluetooth communication function (hereinafter referred to as acellular phone) is present within a Bluetooth wireless communicationarea, the Bluetooth communication section 3 establishes a wirelesscommunication link with the cellular phones 10 in the Bluetooth wirelesscommunication area and executes a communication compliant with aBluetooth communication protocol. The cellular phone 10 responds to aBluetooth system able to function, in particular, as a short rangewireless communication means or a unit.

The Bluetooth communication section 3 of the present example iscompliant with a known HFP (HandsFree Profile) for executing a handsfreephone call, and a PBAP (Phone Book Access Profile) for executing atransfer of phone book data and outgoing and incoming call history data.

Herein, the above profiles signify communication protocols defined forevery function. In stand-alone, i.e., without connecting HFP with thein-vehicle navigation apparatus 1 as a handsfree apparatus, the cellularphone 10 establishes a cellular phone link with a base station (notshown) in a cellular phone network and performs independently anoutgoing call process and incoming call process. Herein, the cellularphone 10 performs an outgoing call process for instance as follows. Auser operates a dial key (“0” to “9” numerical keypad) (not shown), andinputs a destination telephone number of the calling destination. Then,when an outgoing call key (not shown) is operated, the telephone numberas a calling destination is transmitted. The cellular phone 10 can thusperform a phone call with the cellular phone as the calling destination.

Further, the cellular phone 10 performs an incoming call process forinstance as follows. In response to a cellular phone as a caller sourcetransmitting a phone call to the cellular phone 10 as a callingdestination, upon receiving an incoming call via the base station, thecellular phone 10 receives the source telephone number of the callercellular phone via the base station. Then, when the user operates anacknowledge key (not shown), the cellular phone 10 can respond to thecaller cellular phone and perform a phone call with the cellular phoneas the caller source.

In addition, the cellular phone 10 has a clock section (not shown) whichclocks dates and times (dates and clock times). In the above outgoingcall process, one data item of correspondence is formed between thedestination telephone number and outgoing call date and time. Thedestination telephone number is inputted via the dial key, whereas theoutgoing call date and time is measured by the clock section. Themultiple data items of correspondence constitute outgoing call historydata, which is stored and held in the cellular phone 10. Further, in theabove incoming call process, one data item of correspondence is formedbetween the source telephone number and incoming call date and time. Thesource telephone number is received via the base station, whereas theincoming call date and time is measured by the clock section. Themultiple data items of correspondence constitute incoming call historydata, which is stored and held in the cellular phone 10.

Furthermore, when not responding to an incoming call, one data item ofcorrespondence is formed between the source telephone number andincoming call date and time. The source telephone number is received viathe base station, whereas the incoming call date and time is measured bythe clock section. The multiple data items of correspondence constitutemissed incoming call history data, which is stored and held in thecellular phone 10. Furthermore, the cellular phone 10 holds phone bookdata, which include multiple data items, each data item of which hascorrespondence between a telephone number and a registration name. Thephone book data is prepared as follows. A user inputs each telephonenumber and a corresponding registration name to thereby store, forinstance, about 500 data items of the telephone numbers and registrationnames in association with each other in a non-volatile memory (notshown).

Herein, when the phone book data is held, the above registration namesare included in the above outgoing call history data and incoming callhistory data. In detail, it is checked whether the source telephonenumber received from the base station is a telephone number, which isregistered in the phone book data and in association with a registrationname. When such a correspondence is confirmed in the phone book data,the corresponding incoming call history data comes to include thetelephone number, incoming call date and time, and registration name.The missed incoming call history data also comes to include thetelephone number, incoming call date and time, and registration name,via the similar processing. Further, with respect to the outgoing callhistory data, it is also checked whether a destination telephone numbertransmitted in the above outgoing call process is a telephone numberregistered in the phone number. When the correspondence is confirmed,the outgoing call history data comes to include the outgoing call dateand time, destination telephone number, and registration name.

Thus, the user reads out the phone book data, and selects and call onetelephone number to thereby securely perform an outgoing call processwith a simple operation without need of inputting one by one the wholenumerical keys corresponding to the numerals included in the telephonenumber. In addition, the cellular phone 10 can store, for instance,about newest 20 data items for each of the outgoing call history data,the incoming call history data, and the missed incoming call historydata, respectively. Whenever any one of the outgoing call process,incoming call process, and missed incoming call occurs, the oldest dataitem is automatically eliminated. The outgoing call history data,incoming call history data, or missed incoming call history data areupdated accordingly. It is noted that the cellular phone 10 is compliantwith a known HFP for a handsfree phone call, and a PBAP for a phone bookdata transfer and outgoing/incoming call history data transfer.

When complying with PBAP which specifies automatic transfer of theoutgoing/incoming call history data, the cellular phone 10 connects PBAPimmediately after establishing a communication link with the Bluetoothcommunication section 3, and transfers automatically the phone bookdata, which is stored at that time. Furthermore, the outgoing callhistory data, incoming call history data, and missed incoming callhistory data, which are stored at that time are transferredautomatically. Thus, when the in-vehicle navigation apparatus 1 existswithin the Bluetooth communication area, the cellular phone 10automatically transfers the outgoing history data which are stored up to20 data items based on the outgoing call processes performed in the pastby the cellular phone 10 itself, the incoming history data which arestored up to 20 data items based on the incoming call processesperformed in the past by the cellular phone 10 itself, and the missedincoming history data which are stored up to 20 data items based on themissed incoming call processes performed in the past by the cellularphone 10 itself.

The operation section 4 may function as an operation means or unit for auser to operate it. For example, the operation section 4 includes atouch key formed in the display section 5. The operation section 4detects a user's operation to thereby output a corresponding operationsignal to the control section 2. The display section 5 may function as adisplay means or unit. The display section 5 displays a display windowbased on a display signal inputted from the control section 2. Asillustrated in FIG. 11 (a) and FIG. 12 (a), for example, the displaywindow illustrating dial keys arranged to correspond to “0” to “9” isdisplayed for the user to input a telephone number.

The work memory 6 may function as an outgoing call history data storagemeans or unit, an incoming call history data storage means or unit, anda data storage means or unit and includes a volatile memory. The workmemory 6 stores the outgoing call history data, incoming call historydata, missed incoming call history data, and phone book data, which weretransferred automatically from the cellular phone 10 without any user'soperation. Note that the work memory 6 can store each of the outgoingcall history data, incoming call history data, and missed incoming callhistory data, for instance, up to five data items, respectively. Thestorage memory 7 includes a nonvolatile memory and stores the variousdata.

When the user performs a display demand of the outgoing call historydata via the operation section 4, the control section 2 causes thedisplay section 5 to display the outgoing call history data stored inthe work memory 6. When the user performs a display demand of theincoming call history data via the operation section 4, the controlsection 2 causes the display section 5 to display the incoming callhistory data stored in the work memory 6. When the user performs adisplay demand of the phone book data via the operation section 4, thecontrol section 2 causes the display section 5 to display the phone bookdata stored in the work memory 6. In addition, as explained above, inthe in-vehicle navigation apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, thenumber of data items of the outgoing call history data or the number ofdata items of the incoming call history data stored in the work memory 6is five, respectively. The maximum number of data items displayed in thedisplay section 5 is also five for each data (refer to FIG. 11 (b), (c),and FIGS. 12 (b) and (c)).

The microphone 8 functions as an audio input means or unit for inputtingsounds. When executing a handsfree phone call using the cellular phone10, sounds uttered by the user are inputted to the microphone 8. Thespeaker 9 functions as an audio output means or unit. When executing ahandsfree phone call using the cellular phone 10, reception sounds ofthe other party are outputted via the speaker 9. That is, when theBluetooth communication link is established between the Bluetoothcommunication section 3 and cellular phone 10, and, then, the wirelesscommunication using HFP is connected, the control section 2 causes theBluetooth communication section 3 to transmit the sound inputted via themicrophone 8 to the cellular phone 10. While causing the cellular phone10 to transmit to the cellular phone network, the Bluetoothcommunication section 3 is caused to receive sounds from the cellularphone network and output it via the speaker 9.

The in-vehicle navigation apparatus 1 further includes, in addition tothe functional blocks illustrated in the drawing, the followingfunctional blocks required for navigation operation: a GPS device as apresent position detector to detect a present position of the vehicle; aroute retrieval section to retrieve a route from a present position to adestination; a map data reading section to read map data from a storagemedium which stores map data; a VICS (registered trademark) receptionsection to receive VICS information distributed from the VICS center;and a speech recognition section to speech recognize sounds uttered by auser.

In such a configuration, the in-vehicle navigation apparatus 1 extractsGPS date information which the GPS device receives from the GPSsatellite to thereby acquire date and time, which is used as outgoingcall date and time or incoming call date and time. In addition, the dateand time extracted from the GPS date information is absolute date andtime, which has very high accuracy.

The above-mentioned in-vehicle navigation apparatus 1 is configured tostart or stop in conjunction with the ACC (accessory) switch starting orstopping. The ACC switch is used to turn ON or OFF the power supply tothe vehicular apparatuses. When the ACC switch changes from the ON stateto the OFF state based on the user's operation, the power supply isstopped to thereby switch the power source of the apparatuses from theON state to the OFF state. In such an event, the data, which waspreviously stored in the storage memory 7, is held without beingdeleted, while the outgoing call history data, incoming call historydata, missed incoming call history data, and phone book data, which werepreviously stored in the work memory 6, are deleted.

An operation under the above configuration is explained with referenceto FIGS. 2 to 16. Herein, the followings are assumed. The cellular phone10 already holds (stores) the outgoing call history data up to 20 dataitems in maximum, the incoming call history data up to 20 data items inmaximum, and the missed incoming call history data up to 20 data itemsin maximum. Further, a user, who carries the cellular phone 10,approaches the vehicle, and gets in the vehicle; then, the above ACCswitch is turned ON, thereby causing the cellular phone 10 to enter theBluetooth communication area of the in-vehicle navigation apparatus 1.

First, the following explains with reference to FIG. 2 a procedure inwhich the control section 2 of the in-vehicle navigation apparatus 1receives outgoing call history data, incoming call history data, missedincoming call history data, and phone book data from the cellular phone10. In addition, the user registers previously the cellular phone 10which serves as a communication partner of the in-vehicle navigationapparatus 1 in the Bluetooth communication. For example, a password offour digits is entered for every cellular phone at the time of aninitial communication setting; then, the in-vehicle navigation apparatus1 or the cellular phone 10 generates a link key known to only each otherand the generated key is stored and registered in the both. At aninitial connection, the link key is required to undergo anauthentication process, thereby allowing the selection of the cellularphone which should be connected. That is, an unregistered cellular phoneis not allowed to perform the communication connection using HFP and thecommunication connection using PBAP. Basically, a cellular phone of theuser of the vehicle is previously registered to thereby be allowed toperform the wireless communication using HFP and the wirelesscommunication using PBAP.

In the present example, multiple cellular phones 10 as communicationconnection targets are registered in the in-vehicle navigation apparatus1 and previously assigned with priority orders using the operationsection 4. The control section 2 stores the priority orders. This isbecause, for example, a driver may have multiple cellular phones.

The following is also assumed in the present example. The Bluetoothcommunication section 3 of the in-vehicle navigation apparatus 1 iscompliant with both protocols for the wireless communication using HFPand the wireless communication using PBAP; further, both the protocolscan be simultaneously connected, which is referred to as multi-profileconnection. However, any process for the simultaneous connection darenot be used in the present example. This results from the main threereasons as follows: (1) A cellular phone 10 as a communication partneris assumed to be compliant with the wireless communication using HFP andthe wireless communication using PBAP like the in-vehicle navigationapparatus 1, but not compliant with the simultaneous connection. (2) Acellular phone 10 as a communication partner is assumed to be compliantwith the wireless communication using HFP and the wireless communicationusing PBAP like the in-vehicle navigation apparatus 1, and, furthercompliant with the simultaneous connection. However, in order tomaintain the simultaneous connection, the software process by theBluetooth communication section 3 of the in-vehicle navigation apparatus1 becomes complicated, thereby posing a concern about the stability ofthe communication connection. (3) The in-vehicle navigation apparatus 1is required to connect with any one of cellular phones 10 compliant withthe wireless communication connection using HFP and the wirelesscommunication connection using PBAP manufactured by many makers in theworld.

For the above reasons, the in-vehicle navigation apparatus 1 of thepresent example is provided as follows. In order to eliminate thesimultaneous connection of the wireless communication in HFP and thewireless communication in PBAP as much as possible, a serial connectionis adopted such that the wireless communication in HFP and the wirelesscommunication in PBAP time-share each other as the more reliableprocedure for the wireless communication in HFP and wirelesscommunication in PBAP.

Returning to the explanation, the control section 2 selects a cellularphone 10 having the high priority order as a communication connectiontarget in the wireless communication in HFP (Step S1). Note that, in thepresent example, without executing the communication connection in PBAP,first of all, an initial communication in HFP is tried automatically tothereby start the connection. The reason is mentioned later.

Next, the control section 2 connects an initial communication in HFPautomatically with the selected cellular phone 10 (Step S2). It isdetermined whether the wireless communication connection in HFP issuccessfully established (Step S3). When the control section 2determines that the wireless communication connection in HFP issuccessfully established (“YES” at Step S3), the wireless communicationin the connected HFP is immediately disconnected automatically (StepS4). The control section 2 connects the wireless communication in PBAPautomatically with the cellular phone 10, with which the wirelesscommunication connection in HFP was successfully established (Step S5).

Subsequently, the control section 2 transmits a data transfer demand forthe cellular phone 10 to start a transfer process of outgoing callhistory data, incoming call history data, and missed incoming callhistory data (Step S6). As the transfer process of the outgoing callhistory data, incoming call history data, and missed incoming callhistory data is performed, the in-vehicle handsfree apparatus 1 receivesthe data (Step S6). After the transfer process ends, the control section2 transmits a transfer demand for the cellular phone 10 to perform atransfer process of phone book data, and the in-vehicle handsfreeapparatus 1 then receives the data (Step S7). When the transfer processof the phone book data ends, the wireless communication in the connectedPBAP is disconnected (Step S8).

The control section 2 connects again the wireless communication in HFPautomatically with the cellular phone 10, with which the wirelesscommunication in PBAP was disconnected (Step S9), then advancing to ahandsfree standby process. Thus, in the present example, the wirelesscommunication is serially changed automatically in an order ofHFP->PBAP->HFP. Thus, it becomes possible that a secure communicationprocess takes place stably with cellular phones, which are manufacturedby many manufactures and compliant with the wireless communication inHFP and the wireless communication in PBAP; it is unnecessary tocomplicate the software process in the in-vehicle navigation apparatus1.

In contrast, when the control section 2 determines that the wirelesscommunication connection in HFP is not successfully established (“NO” atStep S3), it is determined whether a cellular phone 10 having the nexthigh priority order is present (Step S10). When it is determined that acellular phone 10 having the next high priority order is present (“YES”at Step S10), the control section 2 selects the cellular phone 10 havingthe next high priority order as a communication connection target (StepS11). The processing then returns to Step S2 and is repeated like theabove.

Herein, the control section 2 operates in the above-mentioned transferprocess of the outgoing call history data, incoming call history data,and missed incoming call history data as follows. With respect to theoutgoing call history data, as illustrated in FIG. 3 (a), the controlsection 2 receives the outgoing call history data which containsregistration names, destination telephone numbers, and outgoing calldates and times, from the cellular phone 10 and stores the received datain the work memory 6. With respect to the incoming call history data, asillustrated in FIG. 4 (a), the control section 2 receives the incomingcall history data which contains registration names, source telephonenumbers, and incoming call dates and times, from the cellular phone 10and stores the received data in the work memory 6. With respect to themissed incoming call history data, as illustrated in FIG. 5 (a), thecontrol section 2 receives the missed incoming call history data whichcontains registration names, source telephone numbers, and missedincoming call dates and times, from the cellular phone 10 and stores thereceived data in the work memory 6.

Thereafter when a display demand occurs with respect to the outgoingcall history data, incoming call history data, and missed incoming callhistory data, the control section 2 causes the display section 5 todisplay the outgoing call history data, incoming call history data, andmissed incoming call history data, which are stored in the work memory6. That is, without reading the registration name from the phone bookdata stored in the work memory 6, the registration name, which wastransmitted from the cellular phone 10, is displayed in the displaysection 5.

When the wireless communication connection in HFP is established at StepS9 by the control section 2, it becomes possible that the operationsection 4 of the in-vehicle navigation apparatus 1 can execute anoutgoing call process and incoming call process. After receiving theoutgoing call history data, incoming call history data, and missedincoming call history data from the cellular phone 10 (after thewireless communication connection in HFP is established at S9), thecontrol section 2 executes a new outgoing call process, new incomingcall process, and new missed incoming call process through an operationof the operation section 4. Thereafter when a display demand occurs withrespect to the outgoing call history data, incoming call history data,and missed incoming call history data, the control section 2 searchesthe phone book data, which was transmitted from the cellular phone 10,for a registration name corresponding a destination telephone number ofan outgoing call process, a source telephone number of an incoming callprocess, or a source telephone number of a missed incoming call process.When the corresponding registration name exists in the phone book data,the registration name is displayed in the display section 5 (refer toFIG. 3 (c), FIG. 4 (c), and FIG. 5 (c)).

That is, in cases that a new outgoing call process is carried out to Mr.Oomori's telephone number, when Mr. Oomori's registration name isalready registered in the phone book data, the control section 2 readsout the registration name of “Oomori OO” from the phone book data anddisplays the outgoing call history data including the registration nameof “Oomori OO” in the display section 5. In contrast, in cases that anew incoming call process is carried out from Mr. Yamaoka's telephonenumber, when Mr. Yamaoka's registration name is already registered inthe phone book data, the control section 2 reads out the registrationname of “Yamaoka OO” from the phone book data and displays the incomingcall history data including the registration name of “Yamaoka OO” in thedisplay section 5. With respect to a missed incoming call, the controlsection 2 reads out the registration name of “Kaneda OO” from the phonebook data and displays the missed incoming call history data includingthe registration name of “Kaneda OO” in the display section 5.

In addition, a display demand of whole history data may arise whichdemands the whole history data containing the outgoing call historydata, incoming call history data, and missed incoming call history datato be displayed in an order of date and time from the newest one. Insuch cases, with respect to the incoming call history data and missedincoming call history data, regardless of whether the incoming telephonenumber or the missed incoming telephone number is identical to(overlapped with) another telephone number, the control section 2selects a predetermined number of telephone numbers from the newest onein the incoming call date and time or missed incoming call date and timefrom all of the incoming call history data and the missed incoming callhistory and displays the selected ones. In contrast, with respect to theoutgoing call history data, the control section 2 selects to displayonly the newest data item among the data items having an identicalsource telephone number (refer to FIG. 6). That is, since the sourcetelephone numbers of “Yoshida OO” overlap in the present embodiment, thecontrol section 2 displays only the data item of the outgoing callhistory data having the newest outgoing call date and time of 12:15 onAugust 10.

Next, the following explains, with reference to FIGS. 7 to 16, aprocedure in which the control section 2 of the in-vehicle navigationapparatus 1 receives from the cellular phone 10 the outgoing callhistory data, incoming call history data, missed incoming call historydata, and phone book data, stores the received ones, and then performsan outgoing call using the stored outgoing call history data, incomingcall history data, and missed incoming call history data. In addition,although the following explains the procedure pertinent to the outgoingcall history data and the incoming call history data, the procedurepertinent to the missed incoming call history data is similar.

In the in-vehicle navigation apparatus 1, the control section 2determines that a cellular phone 10 exists in the Bluetoothcommunication area of the in-vehicle navigation apparatus 1 and theBluetooth communication section 3 established the communication linkwith the cellular phone 10 (“YES” at Step S21). The control section 2then waits for automatic transfer of the outgoing call history data,incoming call history data, and phone book data from the cellular phone10 to the Bluetooth communication section 3 (Step S22).

When the control section 2 determines that the outgoing call historydata, incoming call history data, and phone book data were automaticallytransferred from the cellular phone 10 (“YES” at Step S22), the controlsection 2 stores in the work memory 6 the outgoing call history data,incoming call history data, and phone book data, which were transferredautomatically from the cellular phone 10 (Step S23).

More specifically, the number of data items of the outgoing call historydata or incoming call history data transferred automatically thecellular phone 10 is 20, respectively, while the number of data items ofthe outgoing call history data or incoming call history data storable inthe work memory 6 is five, respectively. Thus, the number of data itemsof the outgoing call history data or incoming call history data storablein the work memory 6 is less than the number of data items of theoutgoing call history data or incoming call history data transferredautomatically from the cellular phone 10, thereby requiring thefollowing process.

That is, with respect to the outgoing call history data, the controlsection 2 cancels a data item having an old outgoing call date and timeamong those of the outgoing call history data transferred automaticallyfrom the cellular phone 10 to thereby store in the work memory 6preferentially the data items having the newest outgoing call dates andtimes from those of the outgoing call history data transferredautomatically from the cellular phone 10. Further, with respect to theincoming call history data, similar to the outgoing call history data,the control section 2 cancels a data item having an old incoming calldate and time among those of the incoming call history data transferredautomatically from the cellular phone 10 to thereby store in the workmemory 6 preferentially the data items having the newest incoming calldates and times from those of the incoming call history data transferredautomatically from the cellular phone 10.

That is, immediately after the outgoing call history data isautomatically transferred from the cellular phone 10, the controlsection 2 holds the outgoing call history data illustrated in FIG. 9 (a)as the outgoing call history data in the work memory 6. When the userthen performs an operation to display the outgoing call history data,the control section 2 displays a display window in the display section5, as illustrated in FIG. 11 (b). Further, immediately after theincoming call history data is automatically transferred from thecellular phone 10, the control section 2 holds the incoming call historydata illustrated in FIG. 10 (a) as the incoming call history data in thework memory 6. When the user then performs an operation to display theincoming call history data, the control section 2 displays a displaywindow in the display section 5, as illustrated in FIG. 12 (b).

Thus, when the cellular phone 10 and the in-vehicle navigation apparatus1 establish the Bluetooth communication link therebetween, the outgoingcall history data and incoming call history data, which are storedbefore the cellular phone 10 establishes the Bluetooth communicationlink, are transmitted automatically to the work memory 6 of thein-vehicle navigation apparatus 1. The cellular phone 10 and thein-vehicle navigation apparatus 1 thus configure a single phone system,allowing a user to perform a handsfree phone call. After the cellularphone 10 and in-vehicle navigation apparatus 1 have configured thesingle phone system, the user is allowed to perform an outgoing calloperation by selecting one of the dial key input, the outgoing callhistory, incoming call history, and phone book. It becomes possible tostand by an incoming call from the cellular phone network.

The present example adopts as a Bluetooth communication procedure aserial profile switching, which executes, in order, connecting thewireless communication in PBAP at S5->disconnecting the wirelesscommunication connection in PBAP at S8->connecting the wirelesscommunication connection in HFP at S9. Accordingly, after the wirelesscommunication in HFP is connected at S9, a new incoming call may arriveat the cellular phone 10 or a new outgoing call process may be performedvia the operation section 4. In such cases, the cellular phone 10eventually stores in its own memory the incoming history data andoutgoing call history data, which include the above new incoming andoutgoing calls. Therefore, in order to acquire the updated outgoing andincoming call history data from the cellular phone 10, the controlsection 2 of the in-vehicle navigation apparatus 1 can perform thewireless communication in PBAP (simultaneous connection) during thewireless communication in HFP.

In contrast, in view of trying to prevent the simultaneous connection asmuch as possible, a serial connection may be adopted which disconnectsthe wireless communication in HFP and connects the wirelesscommunication in PBAP. However, in the serial connection, the cellularphone 10 and the in-vehicle navigation apparatus 1, both of whichconfigure the single phone system, is substantively separated from eachother, thereby causing a state where a handsfree phone call cannot beallowed. Therefore, in the present example, after the wirelesscommunication connection in HFP is established at S9, while thereaftermaintaining only the wireless communication connection in HFP, thein-vehicle navigation apparatus 1 obtains the newest outgoing andincoming call history data from itself and maintains it without help ofthe cellular phone 10. Such a feature is explained below.

The control section 2 determines whether the user executes an outgoingcall operation via the dial key input (Step S24). The control section 2determines whether the user executes an outgoing call operation usingthe outgoing call history (Step S25). The control section 2 determineswhether the user executes an outgoing call operation using the incomingcall history (Step S26). The control section 2 determines whether theuser executes an outgoing call operation using the phone book (StepS27). The control section 2 determines whether an incoming call arrivesfrom the cellular phone network (Step S28).

When the control section 2 determines that the user executes an outgoingcall operation via the dial key input (“YES” at Step S24), the controlsection 2 performs an outgoing call process while regarding thetelephone number inputted by the user via the dial key as a destinationtelephone number (Step S29). When the control section 2 completes theoutgoing call process via the dial key input, as illustrated in FIG. 9(b), the control section 2 deletes a data item having the oldest in theoutgoing call date and time among the outgoing call history data storedat that time in the work memory 6 (Step S30). The control section 2stores additionally the newest data item of the outgoing call as selfoutgoing call history data in the work memory 6 (Step S31).

When the user inputs, for example, the telephone number “09000000100” byoperating the dial key and performs an outgoing call while regarding thetelephone number “09000000100” as a destination telephone number, thecontrol section 2 stores additionally the data item of the outgoing callhistory data representing the telephone number “09000000100” as the selfoutgoing call history data in the work memory 6 as illustrated in FIG.9( b). Further, the control section 2 stores as a time stamp the dateand time obtained via the GPS device of the in-vehicle navigationapparatus 1 as an outgoing call date and time corresponding to thetelephone number “09000000100.” That is, in FIG. 9 (b), the outgoingcall date and time of the newest telephone number “09000000100” is thetime which the GPS device of the in-vehicle navigation apparatus 1acquired, while other outgoing call dates and times of the fourremaining telephone numbers are the times which the clock device of thecellular phone 10 acquired. Further, when the user then performs anoperation to display the outgoing call history data, the control section2 displays a display window in the display section 5, as illustrated inFIG. 11 (c).

When the user presses “HISTORY” button 4 a and then “OUTGOING CALLHISTORY” button 4 b, the control section 2 determines that the userperforms an outgoing call operation using the outgoing call history(“YES” at Step S25). The control section 2 refers to the outgoing callhistory data stored in the work memory 6 (Step S32). The control section2 refers to the phone book data stored in the work memory 6 (Step S33).As illustrated in FIGS. 11( b), 11(c), the control section 2 displays anoutgoing call operation window using the outgoing call history in thedisplay section 5 (Step S34). If the destination telephone number of theoutgoing call history data is registered in the phone book data, theregistration name corresponding to the telephone number is displayed inthe display section 5 by the control section 2. In contrast, if thedestination telephone number of the outgoing call history data is notregistered in the phone book data, the telephone number is displayed inthe display section 5.

Subsequently, the control section 2 executes an outgoing call processthat performs an outgoing call while regarding as the destinationtelephone number the telephone number the user selected from thetelephone numbers displayed in the display section 5 (Step S35). Whenthe control section 2 completes the outgoing call process using theoutgoing call history, the control section 2 similarly deletes a dataitem having the oldest in the outgoing call date and time among theoutgoing call history data stored at that time in the work memory 6(Step S30). The control section 2 stores additionally the newest dataitem of the outgoing call using the outgoing call history as selfoutgoing call history data in the work memory 6 (Step S31). Further, thecontrol section 2 stores as a time stamp the date and time obtained viathe GPS device of the in-vehicle navigation apparatus 1 as an outgoingcall date and time corresponding to the destination telephone number.

When the user presses “HISTORY” button 4 a and then “INCOMING CALLHISTORY” button 4 c, the control section 2 determines that the userperforms an incoming call operation using the outgoing call history(“YES” at Step S26). The control section 2 refers to the incoming callhistory data stored in the work memory 6 (Step S36). The control section2 refers to the phone book data stored in the work memory 6 (Step S37).As illustrated in FIGS. 12( b), (c), the control section 2 displays anoutgoing call operation window using the incoming call history in thedisplay section 5 (Step S38). If the destination telephone number of theincoming call history data is registered in the phone book data, theregistration name corresponding to the telephone number is displayed inthe display section 5 by the control section 2. In contrast, if thedestination telephone number of the incoming call history data is notregistered in the phone book data, the telephone number is displayed inthe display section 5.

Subsequently, the control section 2 executes an outgoing call processthat perform an outgoing call while regarding as the destinationtelephone number the telephone number the user selected from thetelephone numbers displayed in the display section 5 (Step S39). Whenthe control section 2 completes the outgoing call process using theincoming call history, also in this case, the control section 2 deletesa data item having the oldest in the outgoing call date and time amongthe outgoing call history data stored at that time in the work memory 6(Step S30). The control section 2 stores additionally the newest dataitem of the outgoing call using the incoming call history as selfoutgoing call history data in the work memory 6 (Step S31). Further, thecontrol section 2 stores as a time stamp the date and time obtained viathe GPS device of the in-vehicle navigation apparatus 1 as an outgoingcall date and time corresponding to the destination telephone number.

When the user presses “PHONE BOOK” button 4 d, the control section 2determines that the user performs an outgoing call operation using thephone book (“YES” at Step S27). The control section 2 refers to thephone book data stored in the work memory 6 (Step S40). As illustratedin FIG. 13( b), the control section 2 displays an outgoing calloperation window using the phone book in the display section 5 (StepS41). Subsequently, the control section 2 executes an outgoing callprocess that performs an outgoing call while regarding as thedestination telephone number the telephone number the user selected fromthe telephone numbers displayed in the display section 5 (Step S42).When the control section 2 completes the outgoing call process using thephone book, the control section 2 similarly deletes a data item havingthe oldest in the outgoing call date and time among the outgoing callhistory data stored at that time in the work memory 6 (Step S30). Thecontrol section 2 stores additionally the newest data item of theoutgoing call using the phone book as self outgoing call history data inthe work memory 6 (Step S31). Further, the control section 2 stores as atime stamp the date and time obtained via the GPS device of thein-vehicle navigation apparatus 1 as an outgoing call date and timecorresponding to the destination telephone number.

When the control section 2 determines via the communication section 3that the cellular phone 2 receives an incoming call from the cellularphone network (“YES” at Step S28), the control section 2 performs anincoming call process for the notification or the like to notify of theincoming call (Step S43). When the incoming call process is completed,the control section 2 deletes a data item having the oldest in theincoming call date and time among the incoming call history data storedat that time in the work memory 6 (Step S44). The control section 2stores additionally the newest data item of the incoming callrepresenting that incoming call, as self incoming call history data inthe work memory 6 (Step S45).

That is, when the control section 2 receives via the Bluetoothcommunication section 3 the telephone number “09000000200” from thecellular phone network as the incoming telephone number, the controlsection 2 stores additionally the data item of the incoming call historydata representing the telephone number “09000000200” as the selfincoming call history data in the work memory 6.

Thus, even if the wireless communication connection in PBAP is notperformed after the wireless communication connection in HFP at S9, whena new incoming call process or a new outgoing call process occurs afterS9, the self outgoing and incoming call history data is added anddisplayed for the user. As a result, it is not necessary to executesimultaneous connection of HFP and PBAP. After the HFP wirelesscommunication connection at S9, it is unnecessary to disconnect thewireless communication in HFP and connect the wireless communication inPBAP. Thus, it can prevent a substantive separation of the cellularphone 10 and the in-vehicle navigation apparatus 1, which constitute theindependent phone system.

Next, the following explains the display process of the outgoing andincoming call history data which were received in the wirelesscommunication in PBAP, and the outgoing and incoming call history datagenerated in the outgoing and incoming call process arising after S9.

In the HFP wireless connection state started at S9, the cellular phone10 transmits an incoming telephone number to the in-vehicle navigationapparatus 1 when receiving the incoming call. At this time, an incomingcall data and time is not simultaneously transmitted. Therefore, thecontrol section 2 stores as a time stamp the date and time obtained viathe GPS device of the in-vehicle navigation apparatus 1 as an incomingcall date and time corresponding to the telephone number “09000000200.”That is, in FIG. 10 (b), the incoming call date and time of the newesttelephone number “09000000200” is the time which the GPS device of thein-vehicle navigation apparatus 1 acquired, while other incoming calldates and times of the four other telephone numbers are the times whichthe clock device of the cellular phone 10 acquired. Further, when theuser then performs an operation to display the incoming call historydata, the control section 2 displays a display window in the displaysection 5, as illustrated in FIG. 12 (c).

The foregoing explained the following. The number of data items of theoutgoing call history data or incoming call history data storable in thework memory 6 is less than the number of data items of the outgoing callhistory data or incoming call history data transferred automaticallyfrom the cellular phone 10. The data item having an old outgoing calldate and time or old incoming call date and time is cancelled from amongthose of the outgoing call history data or incoming call history datatransferred automatically from the cellular phone 10. The data itemhaving a new outgoing call date and time or a new incoming call date andtime is preferentially stored in the work memory 6 from among those ofthe outgoing call history data or incoming call history data transferredautomatically from the cellular phone 10. In contrast, when connectingthe wireless communication in PBAP, the number of data itemsautomatically transmitted may be specified (five data items in thepresent embodiment) by the in-vehicle navigation apparatus 1 to thecellular phone 10. Thereby, the data item having a new outgoing calldate and time or incoming call date and time may be preferentiallystored in the work memory 6.

In the above-mentioned configuration, the following is explained in thein-vehicle navigation apparatus 1. When a new outgoing call process ornew incoming call process is performed, the oldest data item of theoutgoing call history data or incoming call history data is erased amongthe outgoing call history data or incoming call history data which arestored in the work memory 6. In contrast, from the user's viewpoint,since there are requirements, the control section 2 may execute anotherprocess indicated in the following substitute process, which is neededwhen the wireless communication connection in PBAP is no longerperformed after S9 like the present example.

That is, when the time which the clock device of the cellular phone 10counts is compared with the time which the GPS device of the in-vehiclenavigation apparatus 1 acquires, the time which the clock device of thecellular phone 10 counts sometimes has more errors and less accuratethan the time which the GPS apparatus acquires. In addition, the timewhich the clock device of the cellular phone 10 counts can be set by theuser: thus, the time may be set intentionally by the user to beproceeded or conversely delayed by a predetermined time period (forexample, 10 minutes).

Thus, the following are supposed. The user sets up time of the cellularphone 10 by proceeding a predetermined time period temporarily; thus,the in-vehicle navigation apparatus 1 stores the set time in the workmemory 6. Under such state, rearrangement in order of time is applied tothe outgoing call history data and incoming history data which weretransferred automatically from the cellular phone 10 and outgoing callhistory data and incoming history data of the in-vehicle navigationapparatus 1 itself. Accordingly, in spite of being the newest on thetime-axis, the outgoing call history data or incoming history dataresulting from the new outgoing call process or new incoming callprocess in the in-vehicle navigation apparatus 1 is displayed on thecolumns in the display window of the list display (for example, thesecond, third column) other than the uppermost column without beingdisplayed on the column uppermost. This involves the gap between thetime-axis which the user memorizes, and the time-axis which the displaysection 5 displays, therefore providing the user with the sense ofincongruity.

To respond to such discrepancy, the control section 2 displays theoutgoing call history data or incoming history data, which weretransferred automatically from the cellular phone 10, by arranging themin order of time on the columns other than the uppermost column, whiledisplays the new outgoing call history data or the new incoming callhistory data of the navigation apparatus 1 itself by arranging them onthe uppermost column. This allows the display to harmonize with thetime-axis which the user memorizes, thereby helping prevent the userfrom holding sense of incongruity.

Further, when displaying the outgoing call history data or incoming callhistory data, which are transferred automatically from the cellularphone 10 in order of dates and times, the control section 2 may notalways need to rearrange the outgoing call history data or incoming callhistory data using the date and time data. That is, if the outgoing callhistory data or incoming call history data have data of an order ofoutgoing calls or incoming calls, the outgoing call history data orincoming call history data may be displayed based on the order ofoutgoing calls or incoming calls.

In addition, the order data of the outgoing calls or incoming calls maynot be explicitly contained. The data may be transmitted in the listform shown in FIG. 3 (a), FIG. 4 (a), and FIG. 5 (a) from the cellularphone 10 and received by the in-vehicle navigation apparatus 1. In suchinstance, the data may be displayed based on the rule that the higherorder corresponds to the newer data. That is, the cellular phone 10transmits the data in the format that the actual order of outgoing callsor incoming calls are distinguishable in the in-vehicle navigationapparatus 1.

For example, in the cellular phone 10, an incoming call arriving at 12o'clock zero minutes zero seconds (12:00:00) from Mr. A and an incomingcall arriving at 12 o'clock zero minutes thirty seconds (12:00:30) fromMr. B may be time stamped identically as twelve o'clock zero minutes(12:00) if minutes are used as end units of counting instead of seconds.Such time stamped data are stored as the incoming call history data inthe cellular phone 10. When receiving such data, the in-vehiclenavigation apparatus 1 tries to rearrange the data in order of time, butcannot determine the order of time. Accordingly, it is desirable thatthe cellular phone 10 assigns data with the order data of outgoing callsor incoming calls or the above list form. This allows the display toharmonize with the time-axis which the user memorizes, thereby helpingprevent the user from holding sense of incongruity.

In this case, the date and time data contained in the outgoing callhistory data or incoming call history data is treated as adjunctivedata, while the above-mentioned order data of the outgoing calls orincoming calls serve as the user's actual order of the outgoing calls orincoming calls. In addition, the cellular phone 10 itself repeats theincoming call process and outgoing call process independently withoutcooperating with the in-vehicle navigation apparatus 1. Thus, thecellular phone 10 can recognize the order of outgoing or incoming calls,thus managing the outgoing or incoming call history according to thecorrect order. Accordingly, the cellular phone 10 assigns calls with theorder data of the outgoing calls or the incoming calls without beinginfluenced by the outgoing or incoming call date and time by the clockdevice of the cellular phone 10 and transmits them to the in-vehiclenavigation apparatus 1. Upon receiving them, the in-vehicle navigationapparatus 1 processes to arrange the outgoing or incoming call historydata based on the order data of the outgoing or incoming calls.Alternatively, without assigning the order data of the outgoing orincoming calls, the cellular phone 10 may prepare the above list bydetermining the actual order and transmit them to the in-vehiclenavigation apparatus 1. The in-vehicle navigation apparatus 1 mayprocess to arrange the data in the actual order of the outgoing orincoming calls by following the above rule.

The above can respond to the following case. It may be assumed that theclock of the cellular phone 10 is set to gain or delay at a certaintime. When an outgoing or incoming call arises immediately thereafter,the outgoing or incoming call history data is displayed in the actualorder, whereas the order of the dates and times attached to the outgoingor incoming call history data is different from the displayed order.Therefore, when such outgoing or incoming call history data arerearranged on the basis of dates and times of the outgoing or incomingcall history data by the in-vehicle navigation apparatus 1, therearranged data are displayed in an order different from the actualorder. Accordingly, in order to arrange data in the actual order, thetechnique of using the order data of the outgoing or incoming calls orthe technique of using the list form may be desirable for arranging thedata in the actual outgoing or incoming order.

As a result, the control section 2 can display the data in the displaysection 5 in the actual order of the outgoing or incoming calls havingoccurred in the cellular phone 10. After executing such data processingin the in-vehicle navigation apparatus 1, the following takes place. Asdescribed above, the outgoing call process may be performed using thedial key input of the in-vehicle navigation apparatus 1, using theoutgoing call history, using the incoming call history, or using thephone book data. Among the outgoing call history data stored in the workmemory 6 at that time, the data being oldest or regarded as being oldestin the order data of the outgoing calls is erased. The newest data itemof the outgoing call, which indicates an outgoing call using theoutgoing call history in the in-vehicle navigation apparatus 1 itself,is stored additionally as self outgoing call history data in the workmemory 6. In contrast, when a new incoming call process arises, thecontrol section 2 erases the data being oldest or regarded as beingoldest in the order data of the incoming calls among the incoming callhistory data stored in the work memory 6 at that time. The newest dataitem of the incoming call, which indicates an incoming call using theincoming call history in the in-vehicle navigation apparatus 1 itself,is stored additionally as self incoming call history data in the workmemory 6.

In the above outgoing call process or incoming call process, the controlsection 2 stores as a time stamp the date and time obtained via the GPSdevice of the in-vehicle navigation apparatus 1 as an outgoing call dateand time corresponding to the destination telephone number or anincoming call date and time corresponding to the source telephonenumber. This allows the display to harmonize with the time-axis whichthe user memorizes, thereby helping prevent the user from holding senseof incongruity.

More specifically, in case where there is a display demand of the wholehistory data collecting the outgoing call history data and incoming callhistory data, the control section 2 needs a predetermined sortingprocess compared with the case when displaying only either the aboveoutgoing call history data or incoming call history data. As mentionedabove, the cellular phone 10 may transmit the incoming call history dataor outgoing call history data such that the newest order can berecognized by being accompanied by the order data of the outgoing orincoming calls in the actual time-axis. Alternatively, the cellularphone 10 may transmit the data as a list form not including the orderdata. In such cases, the in-vehicle navigation apparatus 1 displays thedata in order notified as it is as mentioned above, without being basedon the outgoing call date and time or incoming call date and time. Inthe case of displaying only either the incoming call history or outgoingcall history, the data can be displayed in an order matching with thatdisplayed in the cellular phone 10.

However, when displaying the whole history data, the following problemsarise. The in-vehicle navigation apparatus 1 can securely recognize thenewest one among the outgoing calls or the newest one among the incomingcalls; however, the in-vehicle navigation apparatus 1 cannot actuallyrecognize the newer one among both the newest ones. Accordingly, in thepresent example, when displaying all the history data, the dates andtimes included in the outgoing call history data and the incoming callhistory data are compared with each other, the newer one is eventuallydisplayed as the newest one. For example, with respect to five dataitems of the incoming call history data and the five data items of theoutgoing call history data, those ten data items are displayed by beingresorted in order of date and time. Thus, in almost the cases, theoutgoing call history data and incoming call history data can bedisplayed in the actual time-axis of the user. In contrast, when thetime stamp function in the cellular phone 10 is up to “minute,” anincoming call arriving from Mr. A at 12 o'clock zero minutes zero second(12:00:00) and an outgoing call transmitting to Mr. B at 12 o'clock zerominutes thirty seconds (12:00:30) are time stamped as identical twelveo'clock zero minutes (12:00). The in-vehicle navigation apparatus 1therefore needs a predetermined display rearrangement of an outgoingcall treated as being newer than the incoming call or vice versa.

In addition, when the newest order of the three data items (A-C) of theincoming call history data received by the wireless communication inPBAP can be recognized as mentioned above, and, furthermore, the newestorder of the data items (D-F) of the outgoing call history data receivedby PBAP can be recognized, the dates and times of the outgoing callhistory data and incoming call history data are compared with each otheras follows to thereby execute the rearrangement.

First, the dates and times of A and D are compared and the newer one isregarded as the first (for example, A). Next, the date and time of B iscompared with that of D and the newer one is regarded as the second (forexample, B). Next, the dates and times of C and D are compared and thenewer one is regarded as the third (for example, D). Next, the date andtime of C is compared with that of E and the newer one is regarded asthe second (for example, C). Next, with respect to E and F, since E isthe newest, the fifth is assigned to E and the sixth is assigned to F.When the dates and times compared with each other are identical,rearrangement is made according to a predetermined rule, prioritizingthe date and time of an outgoing call to an incoming call, or viceversa.

In addition, when transmitting the phone book data, the cellular phone10 needs to transform its data format to “vCard” format specified by theBluetooth communication standard specification. Further, the phone bookdata is apt to be updated less frequently than the outgoing call historydata or incoming call history data. Thus, the control section 2 receivespreferentially the outgoing call history data and incoming call historydata, and then receives the phone book data via the Bluetoothcommunication section 3 from the cellular phone 10. In addition, thecontrol section 2 receives the outgoing call history data and incomingcall history data via the Bluetooth communication section 3 from thecellular phone 10; then, only when the user executes a predeterminedoperation via the operation section 4, the phone book data may bereceived via the Bluetooth communication section 3 from the cellularphone 10.

In addition, whether to transmit the phone book data based on the user'soperation or automatically may be designated by the user selectingeither in the in-vehicle navigation apparatus 1, thereby performing thetransfer process according to the user's designation. Under thecondition that setting to the automatic transfer is designated as “nottransfer,” after the HFP wireless communication connection at S9, auser's manual transfer operation may be made to transmit only the phonebook data. Accordingly, the wireless communication connection in HFP atS9 is disconnected by the manual transfer operation, and the wirelesscommunication connection in PBAP is made. As the data transfer iscompleted, the wireless communication in HFP is again connected with thecellular phone 10, thereby switching to the state allowing the handsfreephone call.

When setting to “not transfer,” the outgoing call history data andincoming call history data having the higher update frequency can bereceived preferentially compared to the phone book data having the lowerupdate frequency. In addition, while no data format conversion isrequired to transmit the outgoing call history data or incoming callhistory data, the data format conversion is required to the phone bookdata. Accordingly, the outgoing call history data and incoming callhistory data having a shorter transfer time can be receivedpreferentially compared to the phone book data having a longer transfertime. The data volume to be transmitted can be reduced by transmittingonly the outgoing call history data and incoming call history data. As aresult, since the communication by the transfer protocol can be executedpromptly and the communication by the subsequent handsfree protocol canbe executed promptly. Thus, the time up to the execution of thehandsfree phone call can be shortened when the cellular phone is broughtin the vehicle. Furthermore, it can be selected as needed whether toreceive the phone book data, which needs a long transfer time and has alow update frequency, improving the usability.

When the phone book data is transmitted by the above user's manualtransfer operation as needed, the communication in HFP is automaticallyexecuted after the transfer is completed. When performing an outgoingcall using the phone book data, the handsfree phone call can bepossible, enhancing the usability. Further, when the phone book data istransferred based on the manual transfer operation, only the phone bookdata can be stored in the nonvolatile storage memory 7. The stored datacan be read from the storage memory 7 at the time of next boot-up of thein-vehicle navigation apparatus 1 and used as the phone book data.

In addition, the control section 2 may store in the work memory 6 theoutgoing call history data, incoming call history data, and phone bookdata, which were received from the cellular phones 10, such that thedata for each of the cellular phones 10 is distinguished from the other.In such a case, the control section 2 associates the data stored in thework memory 6 with each cellular phone 10, for example, as follows. Whenthe control section 2 stores in the work memory 6 the outgoing callhistory data, incoming call history data, and phone book data, whichwere received from the cellular phone 10, a link key is generated basedon a cellular phone ID and an apparatus ID and the generated link key isstored in the work memory 6 in association with the various data. Morespecifically, the cellular phone ID is uniquely given to the cellularphone 10 and received from the cellular phone 10, while the apparatus IDis uniquely given to the in-vehicle handsfree apparatus 1. Whenreceiving a cellular phone ID from the cellular phone 10 thereafter, thecontrol section 2 re-generates a link key based on the received cellularphone ID and the apparatus ID, and updates the various data stored inthe work memory 6 in association with the generated link key.

Next, the HFP process at S2 is explained in detail. The connection ofHFP and PBAP at S2 is controlled according to the flowchart illustratedin FIG. 15. That is, when the control section 2 determines that acommunication link is established with a cellular phone 10 existing inthe Bluetooth communication area, the control section 2 connects(starts) the wireless communication in HFP (Step S51). The controlsection 2 determines whether the cellular phone 2 is during a phone callstate or not (Step S52). More specifically, whether the cellular phone10 is during a phone call state or during a standby state is notified bythe wireless communication in HFP. Upon receiving the state of thecellular phone 10, the in-vehicle navigation apparatus 1 determines itaccording to the received communication state. More specifically, S51corresponds to the processing at S2.

When the control section 2 determines that the cellular phone 10 is notduring a phone call state, namely the cellular phone 10 is during thestandby state (“NO” at Step S52), the connected wireless communicationin HFP is disconnected (ended) (Step S54). The wireless communication inPBAP is connected (Step S55). That is, if the cellular phone 10 is notin a phone call state, the control section 2 immediately disconnects theconnected wireless communication in HFP automatically and then connectsthe wireless communication in PBAP automatically. Thus, the controlsection 2 causes the Bluetooth communication section 3 to receive theoutgoing call history data, incoming call history data, and phone bookdata transmitted from the cellular phone 10.

In contrast, when the control section 2 determines that the cellularphone 10 is in the phone call state (“YES” at S52), the control section2 maintains the wireless communication in HFP while assuming that thehandsfree phone call using the in-vehicle navigation apparatus 1 may beexecuted. More specifically, whether the phone call is executed isbasically dependent on the cellular phone 10. If the wirelesscommunication in HFP is connected while the cellular phone 10 is in thephone call state, the reception sound may be transmitted to theBluetooth communication section 3 automatically or based on an operationto the cellular phone 10.

Subsequently, the control section 2 determines whether the cellularphone 10 completes the phone call (Step S53). When it is determined thatthe cellular phone 20 completes the phone call (“YES” at Step S53), theconnected wireless communication in HFP is disconnected (ended) (StepS54). The wireless communication in PBAP is connected (Step S55). If thecellular phone 10 is in a phone call state, the control section 2disconnects the connected wireless communication in HFP after the phonecall ends, and then connects the wireless communication in PBAP. Afterthe user completes the handsfree phone call, the control section 2causes the Bluetooth communication section 3 to receive the outgoingcall history data, incoming call history data, and phone book datatransmitted from the cellular phone 10. More specifically, S52, S53correspond to the processing between S3 and S4.

Thus, when the cellular phone 10 is connected to the in-vehiclenavigation apparatus 1, It is determined whether the cellular phone 10is in a phone call. If it is in the phone call state, switching to thewireless communication in PBAP prevents the cellular phone 10 frommoving to the handsfree phone call. Thus, the wireless communication inHFP is maintained and wireless communication connection in PBAP is notexecuted during the phone call. When it is determined that the phonecall is completed, the wireless communication in HFP is disconnected andthe wireless communication connection in PBAP is executed. As a result,when the cellular phone 10 is in the phone call state independently, itbecomes possible for the cellular phone 10 to change to the handsfreephone call smoothly.

Further, the control section 2 may store the incoming call history datawhile distinguishing a responded incoming call history by the cellularphone 10 and a not-responded incoming call history (missed incoming callhistory) by the cellular phone 10 from each other. In such cases, thefollowing may be operated. When the user presses “HISTORY” button 4 aand then “INCOMING CALL HISTORY” button 4 c, the control section 2determines that an outgoing call operation using the incoming callhistory is performed. The control section 2 then refers to the incomingcall history data stored in the work memory 6 and refers to the phonebook data stored in the work memory 6. The outgoing call operationwindow is thereby displayed in the display section 5 as illustrated inFIGS. 16 (b) and (c). More specifically, the window displays, withrespect to each data item, either an icon graphic showing an incomingcall which is responded (figure having a combination of a telephonereceiver and an arrow) or an icon graphic showing an incoming call(missed incoming call) which is not responded (figure having acombination of a telephone receiver and x mark).

The above explains the case that the control section 2 stores in thework memory 6 the outgoing call history data, incoming call historydata, and phone book data, which were transferred from the cellularphone 10, or the case that only the phone book data is stored in thestorage memory 7. In contrast, the control section 2 may store in thestorage memory 7 the outgoing call history data, incoming call historydata, and phone book data, which were transferred from the cellularphone 10. In such a configuration, even if the power source of theapparatus is turned off, the outgoing call history data, incoming callhistory data, and phone book data which are stored in the storage memory7 can be continuously stored.

As explained above, the present embodiment can provide the in-vehiclenavigation apparatus 1 of the present example with the following. Inorder to reduce the simultaneous connection of HFP and PBAP as much aspossible for achieving a more reliable procedure in HFP and PBAP, thetime-divided serial connection of HFP and PBAP is performed. Thus, itbecomes possible that a secure communication process takes place stablywith cellular phones manufactured by many manufactures and compliantwith the wireless communication in HFP and the wireless communication inPBAP. In addition, the process by the in-vehicle handsfree apparatus 1is not complicated; further, it becomes possible to execute the processof PBAP and HFP by the simple process.

In addition, at the time of connecting the wireless communication in HFPafter disconnecting the wireless communication in PBAP, an outgoing callto the cellular phone network or an incoming call from the cellularphone network may arise. In such cases, among the outgoing call historydata or incoming call history data stored in the work memory 6 at thattime, a data item having an oldest outgoing call date and time orincoming date and time is erased and the outgoing call history data orincoming call history data of the in-vehicle navigation apparatus itselfis additionally stored in the work memory 6. Thus, whenever an outgoingcall to the cellular phone network or an incoming call from the cellularphone network arises, the newest outgoing call history data or thenewest incoming call history data of the subject apparatus can bememorized.

In addition, in the state of establishing the communication link withthe cellular phones 10, after connecting HFP at S2, it is determinedwhether the cellular phone 10 is in a phone call state. When thecellular phone 10 is in a phone call state, the wireless communicationin PBAP is connected after the phone call is completed and the outgoingcall history data, incoming call history data, and phone book data arereceived from the cellular phone 10. Under such a configuration, thehandsfree phone call can be executed without being affected by thetransfer of the outgoing call history data, incoming call history data,and phone book data from the cellular phone 10.

Further, in the in-vehicle navigation apparatus 1, under the state ofestablishing the Bluetooth communication link with the cellular phones10, when receiving from the cellular phone 10 the outgoing call historydata and incoming call history data, which were stored in the cellularphone 10 before establishing the Bluetooth communication link, thein-vehicle navigation apparatus 1 stores, in the work memory 6, thereceived outgoing call history data and the received incoming callhistory data, equally to, of the navigation apparatus 1 itself, theoutgoing call history data and incoming call history data. An outgoingcall operation then becomes possible using the outgoing call historydata and incoming call history data, which are stored in the work memory6. In such a configuration, while an outgoing call can be performed byselecting the desired telephone number among the outgoing call historydata or incoming history data, which are transferred automatically fromthe cellular phone 10, an outgoing call can be performed by selectingthe desired telephone number among the outgoing call history data orincoming history data, which are pertinent to the in-vehicle navigationapparatus 1 itself. The usability can be thereby enhanced.

In addition, in case that a display demand of outgoing call history dataor incoming call history data occurs, if the same telephone number ispresent as a destination telephone number or a source telephone numberstored in the work memory 6 as the outgoing call history data orincoming call history data, the registration name corresponding to thetelephone number is displayed. In such a configuration, the outgoingcall history data or incoming call history data received from thecellular phone 10 can be displayed using the registration name stored inthe phone book data.

In addition, each time an outgoing call process is performed, theoutgoing call history data of the in-vehicle navigation apparatus 1itself is displayed as the data item having the newest outgoing calldate and time in the display list of the outgoing call history data. Incontrast, each time an incoming call process is performed, the incomingcall history data of the in-vehicle navigation apparatus 1 itself isdisplayed as the data item having the newest incoming call date and timein the display list of the incoming call history data. Such aconfiguration can respond to the following case that the date and timeacquired by the cellular phone 10 does not accord with the date and timeacquired by the in-vehicle navigation apparatus 1, and, further, theoutgoing call date and time or incoming call date and time, which areautomatically transferred from the cellular phone 10, do not accord withthe outgoing call date and time or incoming call date and time of thein-vehicle navigation apparatus 1 itself in a time-axis. Thus, the usercan be prevented from feeling the sense of incongruity due to the gap inthe date and time between the cellular phone 10 and the in-vehiclenavigation apparatus 1.

In addition, the outgoing call history data, incoming call history data,and phone book data may be stored to be distinguished with respect toeach of cellular phones 10 in the work memory 6. Under such aconfiguration, the outgoing call history data, incoming call historydata, and phone book data can be managed every cellular phone 10. Inaddition, the outgoing call history data, incoming call history data,and phone book data may be stored to be distinguished with respect toeach of cellular phones 10 in the storage memory 7. Under such aconfiguration, whenever the power source of the apparatus turns on, itis not necessary to receive phone book data from the cellular phone 10,The user can use promptly the phone book data stored so as to correspondto the cellular phone 10 the user holds, remarkably enhancing theusability at the time of using the phone book function.

Furthermore, when the outgoing call history data, incoming call historydata, and missed incoming history data are collectively displayed as thewhole history data, with respect to the data items of the outgoing callhistory data having the identical (overlapped) destination telephonenumber, the data item having the newest in the outgoing call date andtime is only displayed. This configuration allows the increase of thehistory information.

Other Embodiments

The present invention is not limited only to the above-mentionedembodiment, and can be modified or extended as follows.

The in-vehicle handsfree apparatus may include a handsfree dedicatedapparatus which mainly realizes the handsfree function. Alternatively,an audio apparatus for reproducing CD or radio can have the handsfreefunction. In addition, the in-vehicle navigation apparatus 1 may beprovided with the portable nature (hand held type).

Without limiting to the configuration where the cellular phone 10 andthe in-vehicle navigation apparatus 1 execute the Bluetoothcommunication, they may execute another short range wirelesscommunication. In addition, they may execute a wired communication.

The outgoing call history data, incoming call history data, and phonebook data, which were received from the cellular phone 10 can be storedin the storage memory 7. Whenever the outgoing call history data,incoming call history data, and phone book data are received from thecellular phone 10, the outgoing call history data, incoming call historydata, and the phone book data may be updated and stored. The outgoingcall history data, incoming call history data, and phone book data,which were received from the cellular phone 10 can be stored in the workmemory 6 and the storage memory 7 simultaneously. Thus, the storagememory 7 may be used as a backup memory.

The number of data items of the outgoing call history data or incomingcall history data storable in the work memory 6 may be one,respectively. In such cases, when an outgoing call process or incomingcall process arises in the in-vehicle navigation apparatus 1, theoutgoing call history data and incoming call history data which werereceived by the wireless communication connection in PBAP is alwayserased.

In addition, in the in-vehicle navigation apparatus 1, although multipledata items of the outgoing call history data or incoming call historydata are displayed simultaneously, every one data item can be displayed.In such cases, for example, the newest data item is displayed first, andthe next newest data item may be displayed by an operation via theoperation section 4.

The number of data items of the outgoing call history data or incomingcall history data storable in the work memory 6 may be one,respectively. In such cases, when an outgoing call process or incomingcall process arises in the in-vehicle navigation apparatus 1, theoutgoing call history data and incoming call history data which werereceived by the wireless communication connection in PBAP is alwayserased.

In the state of establishing the Bluetooth communication link betweenthe cellular phone 10 and the in-vehicle navigation apparatus 1, withoutlimiting to the configuration that the outgoing call history data andincoming call history data are transferred automatically, they may betransferred under the condition that a user operates the in-vehiclenavigation apparatus 1 or the cellular phone 10.

In cases that the control section 2 stores in the work memory 6 theoutgoing call history data, incoming call history data, and phone bookdata, which were received from the cellular phones 10, such that thedata for each of the cellular phones 10 is distinguished from the other,without limiting to the configuration to associate the data stored inthe work memory 6 with the cellular phone 10 by generating a link key,another method may be adopted to associate them with each other.

Each or any combination of processes, steps, or means explained in theabove can be achieved as a software portion or unit (e.g., subroutine)and/or a hardware portion or unit (e.g., circuit or integrated circuit),including or not including a function of a related device; furthermore,the hardware portion or unit can be constructed inside of amicrocomputer. Furthermore, the software portion or unit or anycombinations of multiple software portions or units can be included in asoftware program, which can be contained in a computer-readable storagemedia or can be downloaded and installed in a computer via acommunications network.

Aspects of the disclosure described herein are set out in the followingclauses.

As a first aspect, a control means or unit and an outgoing call historydata storage means or unit are comprised. The control means or unitcommunicates with a cellular phone with a transfer protocol forrealizing transfer of the outgoing call history data stored in thecellular phone before being connected using a handsfree protocol withthe cellular phone, receives the outgoing call history data from thecellular phone, disconnects the communication using the transferprotocol after the receiving, and connects communication with ahandsfree protocol for realizing a handsfree phone call by the cellularphone after the disconnecting. The outgoing call history data storagemeans or unit stores the received outgoing call history data.

As a second aspect, a transfer protocol control means or unit executescommunication using a transfer protocol for realizing transfer of theoutgoing call history data stored in the cellular phone before theconnection of the handsfree protocol when the cellular phone exists in awireless connection area. An outgoing call history data reception meansor unit receives outgoing call history data from the cellular phone viathe communication using the transfer protocol. A transfer protocoldisconnection means or unit disconnects the connected communicationusing the transfer protocol after the receiving. A handsfree protocolcontrol means or unit connects automatically communication using ahandsfree protocol for realizing a handsfree phone call by the cellularphone after the disconnecting. An outgoing call history data storagemeans or unit stores the outgoing call history data which is received.

As a third aspect, a control means or unit and an incoming call historydata storage means or unit are comprised. The control means or unitcommunicates with a cellular phone with a transfer protocol forrealizing transfer of the incoming call history data stored in thecellular phone before being connected using a handsfree protocol withthe cellular phone, receives the incoming call history data from thecellular phone, disconnects, after receiving, the communication usingthe transfer protocol, and connects a communication using a handsfreeprotocol for realizing a handsfree phone call by the cellular phoneafter disconnecting. The incoming call history data storage means orunit stores the incoming call history data which is received.

As a fourth aspect, the following means or units are comprised. Atransfer protocol control means or unit executes communication using atransfer protocol for realizing transfer of the incoming call historydata stored in the cellular phone before the connection of the handsfreeprotocol when the cellular phone exists in a wireless connection area.An incoming call history data reception means or unit receives incomingcall history data from the cellular phone via the communication usingthe transfer protocol. A transfer protocol disconnection means or unitdisconnects the connected communication using the transfer protocolafter the receiving. A handsfree protocol control means or unit connectsautomatically communication using a handsfree protocol for realizing ahandsfree phone call by the cellular phone after the disconnecting. Anincoming call history data storage means or unit stores the receivedincoming call history data.

As a fifth aspect, the following means or units are comprised. Atransfer protocol control means or unit performs a communication usingthe transfer protocol for realizing transfer of the incoming callhistory data, the outgoing call history data, and the phone book datastored in the cellular phone prior to the connection for the handsfreephone call when the cellular phone exists in a wireless connection area.A data reception means or unit receives incoming call history data,outgoing call history data, and phone book data from the cellular phonevia the communication using the transfer protocol. A transfer protocoldisconnection means or unit disconnects the connected communicationusing the transfer protocol after the receiving. A handsfree protocolcontrol means or unit connects automatically communication using ahandsfree protocol for realizing a handsfree phone call by the cellularphone after the disconnecting. A data storage means or unit stores theoutgoing call history data, the incoming call history data, and thephone book data, which are received.

As a sixth aspect, the following is comprised. A transfer protocolconnecting step connects a transfer protocol between the cellular phoneand the in-vehicle handsfree apparatus for realizing a transfer of theoutgoing call history data, which was stored in the cellular phonebefore the connection for the handsfree phone call. An outgoing callhistory data receiving step receives the outgoing call history data viaa communication connected at the transfer protocol connecting step. Adisconnecting step automatically disconnects the communication using thetransfer protocol after receiving the outgoing call history data. Ahandsfree connecting step automatically connects communication using thehandsfree protocol for realizing the handsfree phone call by thecellular phone after the disconnecting at the disconnecting step.

As a seventh aspect, the following is comprised. A transfer protocolconnecting step connects a transfer protocol between the cellular phoneand the in-vehicle handsfree apparatus for realizing a transfer of theincoming call history data, which was stored in the cellular phonebefore the connection for the handsfree phone call. An incoming callhistory data receiving step receives the incoming call history data viaa communication connected at the transfer protocol connecting step. Adisconnecting step automatically disconnects the communication using thetransfer protocol after receiving the incoming call history data. Ahandsfree connecting step automatically connects communication using thehandsfree protocol for realizing the handsfree phone call by thecellular phone after the disconnecting at the disconnecting step.

Thus, according to the present disclosure, after the data is transferredvia the communication using the transfer protocol, the communicationusing the transfer protocol is disconnected and the communication usingthe handsfree protocol is then executed. As a result, it is unnecessaryto connect the transfer protocol and the handsfree protocol at the sametime. While the processing can be reduced in the in-vehicle handsfreeapparatus, connectivity with the various types of cellular phones can beimproved.

In addition, as another aspect, the control means or unit includes adetermination means or unit for determining whether the cellular phoneis performing a phone call by connecting an initial communication usinga handsfree protocol for realizing a handsfree phone call by thecellular phone prior to the communication using the transfer protocol.When it is determined by the determination means or unit that the phonecall is being performed, the control means or unit maintains the initialcommunication using the handsfree protocol. When it is determined by thedetermination means or unit that the phone call is completed, thecontrol means or unit connects a communication using the transferprotocol after disconnecting the maintained initial communication usingthe handsfree protocol.

In addition, as another aspect, an initial handsfree protocolcommunication means or unit connects automatically an initialcommunication using a handsfree protocol for realizing a handsfree phonecall by the cellular phone prior to the communication using the transferprotocol. A determination means or unit determines whether the cellularphone is during performing a phone call. A communication maintenancemeans or unit maintains the initial communication using the handsfreeprotocol when it is determined by the determination means or unit thatthe phone call is being performed. When it is determined by thedetermination means or unit that the phone call is completed, thetransfer protocol control means or unit connects a communication usingthe transfer protocol after disconnecting the maintained initialcommunication using the handsfree protocol.

In addition, as another aspect, the control means or unit includes adetermination means or unit for determining whether the cellular phoneis performing a phone call by connecting an initial communication usinga handsfree protocol for realizing a handsfree phone call by thecellular phone prior to the communication using the transfer protocol.When it is determined by the determination means or unit that the phonecall is being performed, the control means or unit maintains the initialcommunication using the handsfree protocol. When it is determined by thedetermination means or unit that the phone call is completed, thecontrol means or unit connects a communication using the transferprotocol after disconnecting the maintained initial communication usingthe handsfree protocol.

In addition, as another aspect, an initial handsfree protocolcommunication means or unit connects automatically an initialcommunication using a handsfree protocol for realizing a handsfree phonecall by the cellular phone prior to the communication using the transferprotocol. A determination means or unit determines whether the cellularphone is during performing a phone call. A communication maintenancemeans or unit maintains a wireless communication using the handsfreeprotocol when it is determined by the determination means or unit thatthe phone call is being performed. When it is determined by thedetermination means or unit that the phone call is completed, thetransfer protocol control means or unit connects a communication usingthe transfer protocol after disconnecting the maintained initialcommunication using the handsfree protocol.

In addition, as another aspect, an initial handsfree protocolcommunication means or unit connects automatically an initialcommunication using a handsfree protocol for realizing a handsfree phonecall by the cellular phone prior to the communication using the transferprotocol. A determination means or unit determines whether the cellularphone is during performing a phone call. A communication maintenancemeans or unit maintains the initial communication using the handsfreeprotocol when it is determined by the determination means or unit thatthe phone call is being performed. When it is determined by thedetermination means or unit that the phone call is completed, thetransfer protocol control means or unit connects a communication usingthe transfer protocol after disconnecting the maintained initialcommunication using the handsfree protocol.

In addition, as another aspect, an initial handsfree protocol connectingstep first connects automatically an initial communication using ahandsfree protocol for realizing a handsfree phone call by the cellularphone before the transfer protocol connecting step. A determining stepdetermines whether the cellular phone is performing a phone call by theinitial communication using the handsfree protocol connected at theinitial handsfree protocol connecting step. a maintaining step maintainsthe initial communication using the handsfree protocol when it isdetermined at the determining step that the phone call is beingperformed. A handsfree protocol disconnecting step disconnects theinitial communication using the handsfree protocol maintained at themaintaining step when it is determined that the phone call is completedin the determining step. After disconnecting the handsfree protocol atthe handsfree protocol disconnecting step, the transfer protocolconnecting step is executed.

In addition, as another aspect, an initial handsfree protocol connectingstep first connects automatically an initial communication using ahandsfree protocol for realizing a handsfree phone call by the cellularphone before the transfer protocol connecting step. A determining stepdetermines whether the cellular phone is performing a phone call by theinitial communication using the handsfree protocol connected at theinitial handsfree protocol connecting step. A maintaining step maintainsthe initial communication using the handsfree protocol when it isdetermined at the determining step that the phone call is beingperformed. A handsfree protocol disconnecting step disconnects theinitial communication using the handsfree protocol maintained at themaintaining step when it is determined that the phone call is completedin the determining step. After disconnecting the handsfree protocol atthe handsfree protocol disconnecting step, the transfer protocolconnecting step is executed.

Thus, before the communication using the transfer protocol, thecommunication using the handsfree protocol is executed and it isdetermined whether the cellular phone is under a phone call state. Whenit is under a phone call state, the communication using the handsfreeprotocol is maintained. In contrast, when it determined that it is notunder a phone call state, i.e., when the phone call is completed, thecommunication using the handsfree protocol is disconnected. Thecommunication using the transfer protocol is then made. Accordingly,when the cellular phone, which is independently under a telephone call,is connected with the in-vehicle handsfree apparatus, the communicationusing the transfer protocol is not executed. Thus, it becomes possibleto change the phone call independently performed by the cellular phoneto the handsfree phone call using the in-vehicle handsfree apparatus.

In addition, as another aspect, a display means or unit displays theoutgoing call history data. An operation means or unit performs anoutgoing call instruction to the cellular phone. A display control meansor unit causes the display means or unit to display self outgoing callhistory data indicating the telephone number of the destination in theoutgoing call instruction as being newer in an outgoing call date andtime than the outgoing call history data when a display demand of theoutgoing call history data occurs after an outgoing call instruction isperformed by the operation means or unit in the communication stateusing the handsfree protocol for realizing the handsfree phone call bythe cellular phone after disconnecting the communication using thetransfer protocol.

In addition, as another aspect, a display means or unit displays theincoming call history data. A display control means or unit receives, ofthe incoming call, a source telephone number, which is notified of viathe communication using the handsfree protocol, as new incoming callhistory data, when the cellular phone receives a new incoming call, inthe communication state using the handsfree protocol for realizing thehandsfree phone call by the cellular phone after disconnecting thecommunication using the transfer protocol, and causing the display meansor unit to display the new incoming call history data as being newer inincoming call date and time than the incoming call history data when adisplay demand of the new incoming call history data occurs afterreceiving the incoming call history data.

Herein, after the transfer of the outgoing call history data andincoming call history data is made by the communication using thetransfer protocol, the communication using the handsfree protocol issubstituted. This makes it impossible to receive the outgoing callhistory data or incoming call history data using the transfer protocol.So, in the present case, it is noted that new outgoing call history dataor new incoming call history data can be acquired by the in-vehiclehandsfree apparatus. Further, the new outgoing call history data or thenew incoming call history data is displayed as a newer data item thanthe data received by the transfer protocol. It thus becomes possible todisplay the history data in an order of the user's actual outgoing callsand incoming calls.

In addition, as another aspect, the outgoing call history data istransmitted from the cellular phone in such a format that an order ofoutgoing calls is identifiable; and the display control means or unitcauses the display means or unit to display the outgoing call historydata in an order of outgoing calls according to the format instead ofusing the received outgoing call date and time data in order todetermine a display order.

In addition, as another aspect, the incoming call history data istransmitted from the cellular phone in such a format that an order ofincoming calls is identifiable; and the display control means or unitcauses the display means or unit to display in an order of incomingcalls according to the format instead of using the received incomingcall date and time data in order to determine a display order.

More specifically, the outgoing call history data and incoming callhistory data received by the transfer protocol contain the outgoing calldate and time data and incoming call date and time data. If such dateand time data is used for rearranging the order, it may be differentfrom the actual order of the outgoing calls and incoming calls. Thus,when the outgoing call history data and incoming call history data aretransmitted in such a format which can identify the actual order of theoutgoing call dates and times and incoming call dates and times,Although the in-vehicle handsfree apparatus receives the outgoing calldate and time data and incoming call date and time data, the in-vehiclehandsfree apparatus displays the outgoing call history data and incomingcall history data according to the identifiable format, without usingthe received date and time data. This enables the in-vehicle handsfreeapparatus to display the outgoing call history data and incoming callhistory data in accordance with the actual order of the outgoing callsand incoming calls.

In addition, as another aspect, a phone book transfer setting means orunit sets up either affirmation or negation of a transfer of the phonebook data. A data transfer designation means or unit transfers only theoutgoing call history data and incoming call history data when the phonebook transfer setting means or unit does not set up the negation of thetransfer.

Here, the outgoing call history data and incoming call history datagenerally have the less data volume than the phone book data and morefrequently used than the phone book data. Thus, the transfer setting ofthe phone book data is made possible. When the setting is set not totransfer the phone book data, only the outgoing call history data andincoming call history data are transferred, thus allowing the reductionof the data volume to be transmitted. As a result, the communicationusing the transfer protocol can be executed promptly, thus allowing thecommunication using the subsequent handsfree protocol to be executed atan early stage. Thus, the time up to the execution of the handsfreephone call can be shortened when the cellular phone is brought in thevehicle.

In addition, as another aspect, a manual transfer protocol instructionmeans or unit acquires only the phone book data by executing thetransfer protocol manually. In a state where a wireless communication isbeing performed using a handsfree protocol by the handsfree protocolcontrol means or unit, a communication using the transfer protocol isexecuted after disconnecting the communication using the handsfreeprotocol when execution of the transfer protocol is demanded by themanual transfer protocol instruction means or unit; and the handsfreeprotocol control means or unit executes a communication using thehandsfree protocol automatically after the transfer of the phone bookdata is completed.

Thereby, the transfer of the phone book data can be attained by theuser's manual operation if needed, improving the usability. Thecommunication in handsfree protocol is automatically executed after thetransfer is completed; therefore, when performing an outgoing call usingthe phone book data, the handsfree phone call can be possible, enhancingthe usability.

Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described, itshould be understood that these are not intended to limit the inventionto the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the inventioncovers all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling withinthe scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An in-vehicle handsfree apparatus allowing ahandsfree phone call by establishing a connection with a cellular phone,the cellular phone storing outgoing call history data indicating adestination telephone number to which a phone call was transmitted, thehandsfree apparatus comprising: a control section connectingcommunication with the cellular phone with a transfer protocol forrealizing transfer of the outgoing call history data stored in thecellular phone before establishing the connection between the handsfreeapparatus and the cellular phone, receiving the outgoing call historydata from the cellular phone, disconnecting, after receiving theoutgoing call history data, the communication using the transferprotocol, and connecting communication using a handsfree protocol forrealizing a handsfree phone call by the cellular phone afterdisconnecting the communication using the transfer protocol; and anoutgoing call history data storage unit storing the received outgoingcall history data.
 2. The in-vehicle handsfree apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein: the control section includes a determination unitdetermining whether the cellular phone is performing a phone call byconnecting an initial communication using a handsfree protocol forrealizing a handsfree phone call by the cellular phone prior to thecommunication using the transfer protocol; when it is determined by thedetermination unit that the phone call is being performed, the controlsection maintains the initial communication using the handsfreeprotocol; and when it is determined by the determination unit that thephone call is completed, the control section connects communicationusing the transfer protocol after disconnecting the maintained initialcommunication using the handsfree protocol.
 3. The in-vehicle handsfreeapparatus according to claim 2, wherein: the control section receives,from the cellular phone, a communication state, which is notified of viathe communication using the handsfree protocol, by connecting theinitial communication prior to the communication using the transferprotocol; and the determination unit determines whether thecommunication state of the cellular phone is during performing a phonecall.
 4. The in-vehicle handsfree apparatus according to claim 2,wherein when prior to the communication using the transfer protocol, itis determined by the determination unit that the phone call is not beingperformed, the control section disconnects the initial communicationusing the handsfree protocol and then connects communication using thetransfer protocol.
 5. The in-vehicle handsfree apparatus according toclaim 1, further comprising: a display section displaying the outgoingcall history data; an operation section performing an outgoing callinstruction to the cellular phone; and a display control unit, wherein,in cases where (i) a communication state using the handsfree protocoltakes place for realizing the handsfree phone call after disconnectingthe communication using the transfer protocol for the transfer of theoutgoing history data stored in the cellular phone, and (ii) an outgoingcall instruction is then performed by the operation section in thecommunication state taking place using the handsfree protocol, thedisplay control unit is configured to cause the display section todisplay self outgoing call history data indicating a telephone number ofa destination in the outgoing call instruction, as being newer in anoutgoing call date and time than the outgoing call history data when adisplay demand of outgoing call history data occurs after the outgoingcall instruction was performed by the operation section.
 6. Thein-vehicle handsfree apparatus according to claim 5, wherein: theoutgoing call history data includes a plurality of data, each datahaving outgoing call date and time data that indicates individualoutgoing call date and time; and when the display control unit causesthe display section to display the plurality of data, the displaycontrol unit causes the display section to display the plurality of datain an order of outgoing call date and time, while ensuring that the selfoutgoing call history data is displayed as being newer in outgoing calldate and time than the plurality of data in the outgoing call historydata.
 7. The in-vehicle handsfree apparatus according to claim 6,wherein the outgoing call history data is transmitted from the cellularphone in such a format that an order of outgoing calls is identifiable;and the display control unit causes the display section to display theoutgoing call history data in an order of outgoing calls according tothe format instead of using the received outgoing call date and timedata in order to determine a display order.
 8. An in-vehicle handsfreeapparatus allowing a handsfree phone call by establishing a wirelessconnection with a cellular phone, the cellular phone storing outgoingcall history data indicating a destination telephone number to which atelephone call is transmitted, the handsfree apparatus comprising: atransfer protocol control unit performing communication using a transferprotocol for realizing transfer of the outgoing call history data storedin the cellular phone prior to the wireless connection establishedbetween the handsfree apparatus and the cellular phone when the cellularphone exists in a wireless connection area; an outgoing call historydata reception unit receiving outgoing call history data from thecellular phone via the communication using the transfer protocol; atransfer protocol disconnection unit disconnecting the connectedcommunication using the transfer protocol after receiving the outgoingcall history data; a handsfree protocol control unit connectingautomatically communication using a handsfree protocol for realizing ahandsfree phone call by the cellular phone after disconnecting theconnected communication using the transfer protocol; and an outgoingcall history data storage unit storing the outgoing call data which isreceived.
 9. The in-vehicle handsfree apparatus according to claim 8,further comprising: an initial handsfree protocol communication unitconnecting automatically an initial communication using a handsfreeprotocol for realizing a handsfree phone call by the cellular phoneprior to the communication using the transfer protocol; a determinationunit determining whether the cellular phone is performing a phone call;and a communication maintenance unit maintaining the initialcommunication using the handsfree protocol when it is determined by thedetermination unit that the phone call is being performed, wherein whenit is determined by the determination unit that the phone call iscompleted, the transfer protocol control unit connects communicationusing the transfer protocol after disconnecting the maintained initialcommunication using the handsfree protocol.
 10. The in-vehicle handsfreeapparatus according to claim 9, wherein: the initial handsfree protocolcommunication unit receives, from the cellular phone, a communicationstate, which is notified of, via the communication using the handsfreeprotocol by connecting the initial communication prior to thecommunication using the transfer protocol; and the determination unitdetermines whether the communication state of the cellular phone isduring performing a phone call.
 11. The in-vehicle handsfree apparatusaccording to claim 9, wherein when it is determined, prior to thecommunication using the transfer protocol, by the determination unit,that the phone call is not being performed, the transfer protocolcontrol unit disconnects the initial communication using the handsfreeprotocol and then connects communication using the transfer protocol.12. An in-vehicle handsfree apparatus allowing a handsfree phone call byestablishing a connection with a cellular phone, the cellular phonestoring incoming call history data indicating a source telephone numberfrom which a phone call is transmitted, the handsfree apparatuscomprising: a control section connecting communication with the cellularphone using a transfer protocol for realizing transfer of the incomingcall history data stored in the cellular phone before establishing theconnection between the handsfree apparatus and for the handsfree phonecall the cellular phone, receiving the incoming call history data fromthe cellular phone, disconnecting, after receiving the incoming callhistory data, the communication using the transfer protocol, andconnecting communication using a handsfree protocol for realizing ahandsfree phone call by the cellular phone after disconnecting thecommunication using the transfer protocol; and an incoming call historydata storage unit stores incoming call history data which is received.13. The in-vehicle handsfree apparatus according to claim 12, wherein:the control section includes a determination unit determining whetherthe cellular phone is performing a phone call by connecting an initialcommunication using a handsfree protocol for realizing a handsfree phonecall by the cellular phone prior to the communication using the transferprotocol; when it is determined by the determination unit that the phonecall is being performed, the control section maintains the initialcommunication using the handsfree protocol; and when it is determined bythe determination unit that the phone call is completed, the controlsection connects communication using the transfer protocol afterdisconnecting the maintained initial communication using the handsfreeprotocol.
 14. The in-vehicle handsfree apparatus according to claim 13;wherein: the control section receives, from the cellular phone, acommunication state, which is notified of, via the communication usingthe handsfree protocol, by connecting the initial communication usingthe handsfree protocol prior to the communication using the transferprotocol; and the determination unit determines whether thecommunication state of the cellular phone is during performing a phonecall.
 15. The in-vehicle handsfree apparatus according to claim 13,wherein when it is determined, prior to the communication using thetransfer protocol, by the determination unit that the phone call is notbeing performed, the control section disconnects the initialcommunication using the handsfree protocol and then connectscommunication using the transfer protocol.
 16. The in-vehicle handsfreeapparatus according to claim 12, further comprising: a display sectiondisplaying the incoming call history data; and a display control unit,wherein, in cases where (i) a communication state using the handsfreeprotocol takes place for realizing the handsfree phone call afterdisconnecting the communication using the transfer protocol for thetransfer of the incoming call history data stored in the cellular phone,(ii) the cellular phone then receives a new incoming call in thecommunication state taking place using the handsfree protocol, notifyingthe handsfree apparatus of a source telephone number of the new incomingcall as new incoming call history data, and (iii) the handsfreeapparatus then receives the new incoming call history data from thecellular phone, the display control unit is configured to cause thedisplay section to display the received new incoming call history dataas being newer in incoming call date and time than the incoming callhistory data when a display demand of incoming call history data occursafter receiving the new incoming call history data.
 17. The in-vehiclehandsfree apparatus according to claim 16, wherein: the incoming callhistory data includes a plurality of data, each data having receptiondate and time data that indicates individual incoming call date andtime; and when the display control unit causes the display section todisplay the plurality of data, the display control unit causes thedisplay section to display the plurality of data in an order of incomingcall date and time, while ensuring that the new incoming call historydata is displayed as being newer in incoming call date and time than theplurality of data in the incoming call history data.
 18. The in-vehiclehandsfree apparatus according to claim 17; wherein: the incoming callhistory data is transmitted from the cellular phone in such a formatthat an order of incoming calls is identifiable; and the display controlunit causes the display section to display in an order of incoming callsaccording to the format instead of using the received incoming call dateand time data in order to determine a display order.
 19. An in-vehiclehandsfree apparatus allowing a handsfree phone call by establishing awireless connection with a cellular phone, the cellular phone storingstores incoming call history data indicating a source telephone numberfrom which a phone call is transmitted, the handsfree apparatuscomprising: a transfer protocol control unit performing communicationusing the transfer protocol for realizing transfer of the incoming callhistory data stored in the cellular phone prior to the connectionestablished between the handsfree apparatus and the cellular phone whenthe cellular phone exists in a wireless connection area; an incomingcall history data reception unit receiving incoming call history datafrom the cellular phone via the communication using the transferprotocol; a transfer protocol disconnection unit disconnecting theconnected communication using the transfer protocol after receiving theincoming call history data; a handsfree protocol control unit connectingautomatically communication using a handsfree protocol for realizing ahandsfree phone call by the cellular phone after disconnecting thecommunication using the transfer protocol; and an incoming call historydata storage unit storing the incoming call history data which isreceived.
 20. The handsfree apparatus according to claim 19, furthercomprising: an initial handsfree protocol control unit connectingautomatically an initial communication using a handsfree protocol forrealizing a handsfree phone call by the cellular phone prior to thecommunication using the transfer protocol; a determination unitdetermining whether the cellular phone is during performing a phonecall; and a communication maintenance unit maintaining a wirelesscommunication using the handsfree protocol when it is determined by thedetermination unit that the phone call is being performed, wherein whenit is determined by the determination unit that the phone call iscompleted, the transfer protocol control unit connects communicationusing the transfer protocol after disconnecting the initialcommunication using the handsfree protocol.
 21. The handsfree apparatusaccording to claim 20, wherein: the initial handsfree protocol unitreceives, of the cellular phone, a communication state, which isnotified of by the communication using the handsfree protocol, byconnecting the initial communication prior to the communication usingthe transfer protocol; and the determination unit determines whether thecommunication state of the cellular phone is during performing a phonecall.
 22. The handsfree apparatus according to claim 20, wherein when itis determined, prior to the communication using the transfer protocol,by the determination unit, that the phone call is not being performed,the transfer protocol control unit disconnects the initial communicationusing the handsfree protocol and then connects communication using thetransfer protocol.
 23. A method for transferring data from a cellularphone storing outgoing call history data indicating a designationtelephone number as a destination, to which a phone call is transmitted,to an in-vehicle handsfree apparatus allowing a handsfree phone call byestablishing a connection between the cellular phone and the in-vehiclehandsfree apparatus, the method comprising: connecting a transferprotocol between the cellular phone and the in-vehicle handsfreeapparatus for realizing a transfer of the outgoing call history data,which was stored in the cellular phone before the connection isestablished between the handsfree apparatus and the cellular phone;receiving the outgoing call history data via communication connected atthe transfer protocol connecting step; automatically disconnecting thecommunication using the transfer protocol after receiving the outgoingcall history data; and automatically connecting communication using ahandsfree protocol for realizing a handsfree phone call by the cellularphone after the disconnecting at the disconnecting step.
 24. The methodaccording to claim 23, further comprising: connecting automatically aninitial communication using a handsfree protocol for realizing ahandsfree phone call by the cellular phone before the transfer protocolconnecting step; determining whether the cellular phone is performing aphone call by the initial communication using the handsfree protocolconnected at the initial handsfree protocol connecting step; maintainingthe initial communication using the handsfree protocol when it isdetermined at the determining step that the phone call is beingperformed; and disconnecting the initial communication using thehandsfree protocol maintained at the maintaining step when it isdetermined that the phone call is completed in the determining step,wherein after disconnecting the handsfree protocol at the handsfreeprotocol disconnecting step, the transfer protocol connecting step isexecuted.
 25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the determiningstep includes receiving a communication state of the cellular phone viathe initial communication using the handsfree protocol.
 26. The methodaccording to claim 24, wherein when it is determined at the determiningstep that the phone call is not being performed, the transfer protocolconnecting step is executed after disconnecting the initialcommunication using the handsfree protocol.
 27. A method fortransferring data from a cellular phone storing incoming call historydata indicating a source telephone number as a source, from which aphone call is transmitted, to an in-vehicle handsfree apparatus allowinga handsfree phone call by establishing a connection between the cellularphone and the in-vehicle handsfree apparatus, the method comprising:connecting a transfer protocol between the cellular phone and thein-vehicle handsfree apparatus for realizing a transfer of the incomingcall history data, which was stored in the cellular phone before theconnection is established between the handsfree apparatus and thecellular phone; receiving the incoming call history data viacommunication connected at the transfer protocol connecting step;automatically disconnecting the communication using the transferprotocol after receiving the incoming call history data; andautomatically connecting communication using a handsfree protocol forrealizing a handsfree phone call by the cellular phone after thedisconnecting at the disconnecting step.
 28. The method according toclaim 27, further comprising: connecting automatically an initialcommunication using a handsfree protocol for realizing a handsfree phonecall by the cellular phone before the transfer protocol connecting step;determining whether the cellular phone is performing a phone call by theinitial communication using the handsfree protocol connected at theinitial handsfree protocol connecting step; maintaining the initialcommunication using the handsfree protocol when it is determined at thedetermining step that the phone call is being performed; anddisconnecting the initial communication using the handsfree protocolmaintained at the maintaining step when it is determined that the phonecall is completed in the determining step, wherein after disconnectingthe handsfree protocol at the handsfree protocol disconnecting step, thetransfer protocol connecting step is executed.
 29. The method accordingto claim 28, wherein the determining step includes receiving acommunication state of the cellular phone via the initial communicationusing the handsfree protocol.
 30. The method according to claim 28,wherein when it is determined at the determining step that the phonecall is not being performed, the transfer protocol connecting step isexecuted after disconnecting the initial communication using thehandsfree protocol.